Hopes dry up in sun

Best chance to break road losing streak ends with loss in first game

Suns 95, Bulls 82

PHOENIX — The first games of lengthy trips often serve as tone setters, which is why Tuesday's contest at America West Arena carried with it the feel of something large.

Considered, on paper, as the best chance to snap a ridiculous losing streak that stretches over five seasons, the Bulls knew that a bad start quickly could turn into an 0-5 trip.

For now, the losing streak on this annual extended November trip only grew one game to an astounding 28 after a 95-82 loss to Phoenix.

But the competition doesn't get any easier, and four more losses would put the Bulls at 4-12 on this season and do nothing to diminish coach Bill Cartwright's status as a coach under serious review.

"It's [tough] when things are out of sync," Cartwright said. "It's [tough] when there are injuries. It's [tough] when you don't have all your guys and you're trying to do what you can. You just hope your team rallies around you and stays together."

The Suns, paced by Amare Stoudemire's 21 points, enjoyed 19 Bulls turnovers in a game in which they never trailed.